Riders Express Distaste for Fare Increase

Spread the pain, Bremerton commuters told ferry officials who came
to town Tuesday night to discuss a proposed 4 percent fare
increase.

Ferries, unlike highways, have operating costs. Riders understand
that, and are willing to help pay for them, but there's a limit,
they said.

"I propose that a reasonable amount of funds be diverted from the
highway system to support the ferry system at a 60 percent recovery
rate," said Arnie Hobbs of Manette. "I'm willing to pay my fair
share, and I think that's 60 percent."

Farebox recovery is the amount of operating costs that are paid for
by fares. In 1999, riders paid 60 percent. Then voters passed
Initiative 695 that reduced car-tab taxes to $30. It was thrown out in
court, but the Legislature voted it into law.

Washington State Ferries had gotten a big chunk of its revenues from
the tax. The agency raised fares to help make up the difference —
20 percent in 2001, 12.5 percent in 2002, 5 percent in 2003 and 2004,
and 6 percent in 2005 and 2006. If the proposed 4 percent increase
takes effect on May 1, cross-Sound car-and-driver fares will have risen
80 percent since 2000 — from $6.50 to $11.70 — and passenger
fares 84 percent — from $3.70 to $6.80.

The fare increases jumped farebox recovery to nearly 80 percent in
2004 before skyrocketing fuel prices knocked it back down to 73 percent
today, said Ray Deardorf, WSF's planning director. Legislative
studies have called for 80 to 100 percent recovery.

Diane Smart of Bremerton said 65 percent should be sufficient. If
ticket prices keep going up, it will hurt economic development because
people won't move here.

"Spread the pain a little," she said. "Put tolls on some of the
highways. Don't just single out the ferries."

Ann Erickson of Silverdale pointed to a specific spot for toll
booths.

"If you want to share the pain, put tolls on the mountain passes and
major highways," she said.

There are no toll bridges or roads in the state now, but that's
part of the discussion, said Dale Steadman of the state Transportation
Commission.

"Tolls are a part of our future as sure as we're sitting here,"
he said.

Those tolls would be placed on mega-projects such as the Alaskan Way
Viaduct and Lake Washington floating bridge, each of which could cost
$4 billion.

Contrary to last Thursday's meeting in Winslow that featured a
heated discussion between ferry officials and about 40 commuters, only
11 attended Monday's event and spoke politely. It was the sixth of
11 meetings. There will be two more in Kitsap County — tonight at
Sedgwick Junior High at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday at Kingston Cove Yacht
Club at 7 p.m.

Despite the fare increases, Washington State Ferries spent $50
million more than it brought in last year. Money from highway or ferry
projects generally get shifted to balance the books.

The Legislature has never replaced the funding that WSF lost from
the car-tab money. Ferries do get some gas tax money — 54 cents
per gallon. Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, has introduced a bill that
requests another half-cent per gallon for ferry operations. It would
come at the expense of some road projects.

Those who can't make a meeting can still comment to tariff@wsdot.wa.gov, (888)
808-7977, or write Tariff Proposal, Washington State Ferries, 2901
Third Ave., Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121-3014.

The Transportation Commission will host a public hearing on March 22
from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Puget Sound Regional Council board room at 1011
Western Ave. (Fifth floor) in Seattle.